March 12, 2025

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

Lent is good. In many ways, Lent is a gift from our God. Lent challenges us; we are asked to do something for Lent. Lent challenges us to go into a desert with Jesus to find ourselves – who am I, Lord – and to allow God to find each one of us. Lent is filled with so many wonderful opportunities to grow in grace and holiness. Lent is our time for change. Lent is a time for renewal.

Many find the best way to do something as a sacrifice for Lent is by attending daily Mass during the days of Lent. One of the joys of Lent each year is the large groups that fill the Church joining together in each parish Church for the daily Mass throughout each of the Churches in the diocese.

I want to tell you about a personal memory of mine – way back when I was in high school – a few of the guys decided to go to morning Mass before school each day. I also remember that one of our group was given a post war jeep by his father – so he would pick us up each morning to get us to Church for Mass. And then on to school. I have no doubt that this Lenten practice had a profound influence on my vocation. However, some thought that that yellow jeep also influenced my decision.

I still believe frequent attendance at daily Mass is a perfect Lenten sacrifice. Each participation in the Holy Mass is a transformative experience. When doing this each day during Lent, we truly become new people – more alive in the Lord. God makes us holier as we spend this regular time with Jesus at the Holy Mass. Participating at Mass each day establishes a truly closer relationship with our God.

During Lent, the Scriptures that are read at each Mass are the same every year. These Scriptures become like good friends from year to year. We truly renew our friendship with them each year. The result is that each year we again pray and listen again to the message of Jesus and become more like the Lord as we remember his words.

Each time we celebrate Mass, there is a Eucharist, a time to remember the Lord’s Last Supper and a time to offer our gratitude as we go to the altar of the Lord. This is again a perfect way for each of us to develop a more perfect relationship with our Lord and Savior. At each Mass, we join with Jesus in his sufferings, his death and his resurrection. Each Eucharist is a time for gratitude to Our Lord Jesus for all that he accepted for us. Each time we receive the Blessed Eucharist in Holy Communion, Jesus stays with us throughout the day bringing peace and strength of faith. Our Lord gives us enthusiasm to live well a disciple of the Lord.

These Lenten daily Masses become a foundation for our whole Lenten Program. We are united with the Lord in a unique way. Each day is filled with the Lord’s joy and happiness. We are united through Jesus will all the members of Christ’s Church. Lent becomes our road to becoming a saint. On Ash Wednesday, the Gospel Acclamation prayer was, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Lent is about opening our hearts to the message of the Lord and to the love of our God, to our dedication to becoming a saint.